How One SF Poet Reshaped Experimental Verse and Campus Activism

• Beverly Dahlen, a pioneering figure in San Francisco's experimental poetry scene, passed away at 91.
• She co-founded the influential literary journal HOW(ever) and championed complex, stream-of-consciousness writing.
• Her contributions helped shape the 1968 San Francisco State University strike that established the nation's first Ethnic Studies department.
• Dahlen leaves behind a substantial body of work, including her multi-volume series A Reading and a posthumous collection.

San Francisco's literary community mourns the loss of Beverly Dahlen, a renowned experimental poet and critic who dedicated her life to challenging conventional verse. The Bernal Heights resident passed away on September 19 at the age of 91, leaving behind a profound legacy of innovative writing and mentorship.

A Champion of Difficult Poetry

Dahlen was celebrated for embracing complexity in her craft. She openly criticized poetry that was easily digestible, labeling such works as promiscuous. Her style relied heavily on Freudian free association, weaving thoughts, feelings, and sensory experiences into a continuous stream of consciousness. This approach resonated deeply with peers and students alike, making her a central figure in the city's avant-garde circles.

Co-founder of HOW(ever)

In 1983, Dahlen joined forces with fellow writers Kathleen Fraser and Frances Jaffer to establish HOW(ever), a vital literary journal dedicated to experimental poetry by women. Through this platform, she amplified voices that often fell outside traditional publishing norms. Her intellectual rigor and dedication to artistic integrity inspired countless poets across generations.

Major Literary Works

Her publication history spans decades. After releasing her debut book, Out of the Third, in 1974, Dahlen embarked on what she considered her life's work: a series of open-ended poems titled A Reading. Started in 1978, the project captured her reflections on literature, transit rides, and conversations with friends. Five volumes followed the initial 1985 release. In 2025, FurtherOtherBookWorks published SOMETHING/NOTHING: Essays and Talks. Just days after her passing, her final compilation, A Reading (A Collection), was released.

Local California Context

Dahlen's influence extends far beyond the page. As a student at San Francisco State University during the historic 1968 Third World Strike, she actively participated in protests that fundamentally reshaped higher education. Her activism contributed directly to the creation of the university's Black studies curriculum and the subsequent founding of the first Ethnic Studies department in the United States. Her deep ties to North Beach's Beat movement era further cemented her status as a cultural icon within the Bay Area.

Background

Born in Portland, Oregon, on November 7, 1934, Dahlen overcame early literacy struggles thanks to her mother's home tutoring. After discovering her love for reading, she moved to San Francisco in the mid-1950s following graduation from Humboldt State University. Despite early professional setbacks, including being dismissed from a teaching position, she found her true calling at the SF State Poetry Center, which became the focal point of her academic and creative universe.

Conclusion

Beverly Dahlen's passing marks the end of an era for San Francisco's experimental arts scene. Remembered by friends like partner Victoria Hack and publisher Stephen Vincent as someone whose family was poetry, her spirit lives on through her enduring publications and the many writers she mentored. Readers interested in exploring her unique voice can seek out her recent collections and the foundational works that defined her career.

Sources and Materials

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